Though it is of course an expansive undertaking to tell the stories of all the people who contributed to the vibrant, diverse, and creative city of Providence, this structure is an attempt to capture the spirit of and pay respect to those who historically occupied Providence. As Principal Hansy Better Barraza of Studio Luz Architects and Artist/Architect Nina Cooke John said in their presentation of the project, “what we can do is begin to unearth the truths through a process of excavation of the intertwined history still present in the land.”

WOVEN is composed of ribbon-like forms that intertwine to create a basket, weaving together the many traditions represented in Providence. The design references the ‘seven hills of Providence’ in the undulations of the form, as well as the trails followed by Indigenous people of the area. Hansy and Nina looked back through history and followed the trails of the Pequots, the Narragansett, and the Wampanoag: Indigenous peoples who made their mark on the land and traded and shared their customs, food and sacred artifacts. In the installation, those historical trails converge to create a new place of connection. As today’s residents forge their modern paths through Providence, they are able to meet each other in this place, and peacefully exchange just as their ancestors did. Ultimately, WOVEN serves as a place of exchange, community, and communication — a place to gather, to celebrate, to protest, to learn — while referencing the area’s rich history.